Girard at a Glance

In its mission statement, Girard College is described as a boarding school for academically capable students, grades 1 through 12, from families with limited financial resources, each headed by a single parent or guardian.

But it is much more than that.

Home and school to orphan boys from 1848 to 1984, home and school to boys and girls from 1984 to the present, Girard has nurtured the minds, bodies and spirits of at-risk children for 168 years.

The school's benefactor, Stephen Girard (1750-1831), left his generous estate to educate and care for needy children. As long as Girard College has existed, all its students have received full scholarships, benefitted from strong academic and extracurricular programs and lived safely on an enclosed, 43-acre campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Programs at Girard College have changed over its history to prepare students for success. Today Girard is a college prep school with virtually 100% of its graduates going on to college or university.

Girard has an unprecedented history of supporting those who are most in need of a quality educational experience, always mindful of our core values: respect, integrity, responsibility, compassion and self-discipline.

Academics:

Highly trained/certified teachers apply the latest educational strategies in thought-provoking and engaging lessons. Specialists provide classes in art, music, physical education, health, science, and research and technology. Chromebooks are integrated into all classes. French and Spanish are introduced in seventh grade. Remedial instruction and counseling are available for children who require extra support and guidance.

Football Player Ashton Youboty (1995), cornerback for the Buffalo Bills

Athletics:

Eight competitive High School sports are offered at Girard.

Fall: boys and girls soccer

Winter: boys and girls basketball, coed indoor track

Spring: baseball (boys), softball (girls) and coed track.

Middle School students play intramural sports. All students learn to swim, take yoga and participate in other kinds of physical activities.

Class Size:

Lower School: 12-15Upper School: 15-18

College Outcomes:

Virtually 100% of our seniors are accepted into colleges/universities. In the last 10 years, 89% of Girard graduates attended a four-year college; 7% attended a two-year institution and 2% attended a vocational or technical school. In recent years, Girard students have enrolled at Columbia University, Cornell University, Drexel University, George Washington University, Howard University, New York University, Pennsylvania State University, Stanford University, Temple University, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University and Yale University.

Extracurricular Programs:

As part of our EDP (extended-day program), we are commited to exposing Girard College students to project-based learning opportunities that foster the intellectual, social, and physical development of the whole student so that they can be productive citizens in an ever-changing global society. The core areas of focus are Wellness, Advanced Learning and Academic Support, Community Service, STEM and the Performing Arts

Financial Aid:

Girard College proudly continues its 168-year-old commitment to full scholarship for all of its students every year. In 2016-17, this amounted to approximately $19 million for 302 students and covered tuition, books, school uniforms and room and board. The scholarship renews itself each year until high school graduation if the student remains in good academic and behavioral standing.

Performing/Fine Arts:

Elementary/Middle School offers General Music in grades 1-6, which includes an introduction to piano in third grade, band (grades 4-6, instruments provided), chorus (grades 3-6), private and group instrument instruction, seasonal concert series, songwriting and recording project (fifth and sixth grade alternating years) art studio, gallery space, and a spring art gallery for all grades.

High School offers general music (grades 9) chorus, band, select jazz/pop band, piano class, hand bell choir (student directed) and a fully equipped art studio with annual studio art shows. iPads are used for both music composition and art creation. Vocal and instrumental music are offered at all levels.

President:

Clarence D. ArmbristerB.A., University of PennsylvaniaJ.D., University of Michigan Law School

Residential Living:

Students live in single-sex dormitories arranged by grade level. Residential advisors occupy apartments in the dorm buildings, creating a caring, familial atmosphere. Girard requires that all students participate in the five-day boarding program for the full benefit of our academic and residential curricula. Students return home on weekends.

Accreditation:

The Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools

Annual Budget:

$18.3 million

Girard Estate Assets:

$449.6 million

Memberships:

NAIS; The Association of Boarding Schools; the Coalition for Residential Education; ADVIS; The College Board; National Association of College Admission Counselors

Girard College is pleased to hold memberships in several key educational organizations: